507 Statement by Minister MARCH 1, 1994 Re: Atrocities on Women in 508 West Bengal the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was regard to this case. registered. 22 people connected with the incident, including the eight persons named Government will continue to closely in the FIR have been arrested and monitor the inCidents of crime against chargesheets have been submitted to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Courts on 7.2.1994. Of these 22 persons, women and also continu!3 effective eight of the accused have, in addition, also coordination with the Ministry of Welfare in been.detained under the NSA. Arms licences this regard. of an the accused have been suspended.
The Chairman of the Revenue Board of Uttar Pradesh was deputed to inquire into 12.23 hrs. the matter. He has already submitted his report which is being examined by the State [English] Govemment. RE: ATROCITIES ON WOMEN IN WEST Action has also been taken against the BENGAL· CONTD. defaulting police officers. The Additional S.P., the Circle Officer, and four other Police officers have been placed undersuspension KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE and the Senior Superintendent of Police of (CALCUTIA SOUTH): The same should Alahabad has been transferred. Adequate come from the Home Minister about West security has been provided for the family of Bengal,We condemn the incidents in U.P. the victims, Financial assistance of Rs. regarding West Bengal also the Minister 1,10,000 has been disbursed. The State should look into the matter. Government has reported that action has been taken by it to see that this incident [Translation] which is reported to be confined to a dispute between two families does not emerge into SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN (Rodera): an inter-caste clash. The Deputy Minister in Mr. Speaker, Sir, I raised this matter on the the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Ram Lal 22nd instant. This incident in regard to which Rahi,aIso visited the village on 22.1.1994. he has replied, is not an isolate case.Dosens such incidents have tak~n place and Uttar I would like to take this opportunity to Pradesh is not an exception .... [ Interruptions] assure the Members of this hon.House that the Govemment views all incidents of this MR. SPEAKER: .1. am allowing Shri type with most serious concem and has Guman Mal Lodha. been adviSing the State Governments, from time to time, regarding the need to take SHRI GUMAN MAL LODHA (Pali): Mr. timely preventive, punitive and rehabilitative· Speaker,Sir, when the Allahabad incident measures. The Home Minister has also took place, I was not allowJ;)d to raise the written to the Chief Ministers of various matter. No problem. However, in the light of States, including Uttar Pradesh, in this this report ... regard. The Home, Minister has also part\cu\a"'~ addressed a demi officia\ letter MR SPEAKER: You come to the point. ! 509 Re: Atrocities on PHALGUNA 10,1915 (SAKA) Women in West Bengal 510
SHRIMATI SAROJ DUBEY: The report MR. SPEAKER: You are exceeding was subrtlitted later only aftervarious woman the limit. organisation~ came out on the roads and blocked traffic for 3 hours. Even then, I ( Interruptions) would like to congratulate the Govemment for taking !uch a stringent step in this matter [ Translation] of injustice to a woman and for suspending all the police officials right from the S.P. to SHRIMATI SAROJ DUBEY: Whatever Constable. I would like to submit that in the you may say, but I am making these case of atrocities on women, we must rise submissions because it is a good thing above party lines and religion, because which get a president. I would like to further dishonour of a woman is not a one time submit that all the Govemments should affair, but a permanent stigma. Therefore, follow this president and only then atrocities Rs. 1 lakh cannot, in any case be adequate on women will come to an end.[ Interruptions] compensation for that dishonour and life long stigma. I would like to submit that the SHRI MOHAN SINGH (DEORIA): Mr. issue raised by Mamtaji be considered above Speaker, Sir, you must be in a jovial mood party politics and firm action taken~ If atrocities during the Zero hour. are committed on any woman .... ( Interruptions) MR.SPEAKER: You behave property ..... MR. SPEAKER : Let us. tum this House into a Court and take' up all such ( Interruptions) cases here. SHRI GUMAN MAL LODHA : Sir, there SHRIMATI SAROJ DUBEY: Here, I is a village called. 'Nigam' in Vardhman would like to subrT,lit that clear cut directions district in West Bengal where the people should be given to the Government that in belonging to the Scheduled Castes live in the case of atrocities on women and cases large number. Last month, on the 25th the where the Police is found guilty of not taking village was attached by 3,000 persons and any action, then immediately penal action in the genocide that followed 300 scheduled should be taken against the erring officials caste persons were killed and their houses for complicity in dishonouring any woman. were set ablaze .. [lnterruptions) ... Bothmen On a number of occasions, you have stated and women were dragged out of the houses that discussion will be allowed. Sir, incidents and subjected to atrocities. of atrocities are increasing daily ... ( Interruptions) [English}
[English] KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE: I have visited the village .... [ Interrupt~s) MR. SPEAKER: If you go breyond •• this, I will refer this matter to the Privileges MR. SPEAKER: WeD, you are all Committee to find out whether it is a breach very leamed and knowledgeable Members. of privilege or not. You know what is the jurisdiction of the rarliament, what is th_e jurisdiction of the ( Interruptions) Court and what is the jurisdiction of the State 511 Re: Atrodties on MARCH 1, 1994 Women in West Bengal 512
Legislature.... [English}
[ Intelruptionsl THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES AND MINISTER OF SHRr GUMAN MAL LODHA : I must PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI request Mr. Chatterjee to go himseH VIDYACHARAN SHUKLA): Accordingtothe convention followed in this House, I would l Translation1 request the Minister ot I:i
[English) SHRI NITISH KUMAR (Bam): MR. SPEAKER, Sir, I would like to know whether KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE: There we wiD be aRowed to raise such issues in is no human right. There is no democratic future or not ,because in regard to a particular right - nothing ..... [lntemJplions] incident here they have started a political wranglinig? Therefore. all should be allowed SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE to raise such issues.[/ntsmJptions) .. (BoIpur): Today is the West Bengal day. Ministerof Home Affairs to make a statement Today, Shri V.C.Shukla is prepared to regarding the incident of 'Nigam' village to call the reports on all incidents. Sir, I want make it clear. Whether the huts of 300 . only one protection that daily if we raise such scheduled caste persons were gutted or issues in the House, then the hon.,Minister not? ... [/ntsrruptions) ... Let the Govemment of Par1iamentary Affairs should reSpond· in enquire into it and also malte a statement in th(; same manner. Except for this I donot this regard. want any other thing [Interruptions] 513 Re: Atrocities on PHALGUNA 10, 1915 (SAKA) Women in West Bengal 514
[English) fashion, without alleging anything against any individuiil'~ without alleging anything SHRI SRIKANTA JENA (Cuttscj): ~ anY party. if amatter about a lady is Today, since the Parliamentary Affairs ra~'ancI if you th'"~ that the parameters Ministertook the position that Home Minister of the matter cover the entire treatment will make a statement. after Lodhaji and given to ladies in general and if a suo motu Mamataji raised a State's law and other statement is likely to be made by the Minister, situation, Ie the Home Minister suo motu I should have no objection. But I would say make a statement everyday on the law and one thing. Let us please refrain from raising order situation of any State. such mailers.
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Jena, please SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE: Yes. take your seat. MR. SPEAKER: And if Shri Somnathji [ Interruptions] says 'yes', he should sOO to it that such matters are not raised here. MR. SPEAKER: What is going on here when I am standing? Please sit down. I am SHRI SOMNATHCHATTERJEE: Kindly allowing Mr. Fatmi to speak. You should give me a half a minute. So long as the lady please understand that you have insisted, Member was referring to some aHeged not once but many times. for a statement incident, I completely kept qaiet. But when from the Government. she started making reckless allegations against my Party. only then I stood up ... SHRISRIKANTAJENA:Thepointraised in relation to UP was regarding Scheduled MR. SPEAKER: But those remarks were Castes and Scheduled Tribes but in the not a part of the proceedings. case of West Bengal, it is a politically motivated issue [Interruptions] SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE: That is all right. But nobody tried to stop her. Let me state that any trocily against women is a MR.SPEAKER: I am of the view that matter of shame. Whenever it occurs, it is a matters rel~ting to individuals should not be matter of national shame. If something has raised on the floor of the House. I forum for happened in West Bengal, aU corrective deciSion on individual matters is not Ihe steps will be taken and should be taken. But Parliament or the State Letgislature. The the alacrity with which the Minister for forum is the Magistrate's Court and tHere it Parliamentary Affairs responds. whenever is decided as to whose statement is correct any matter relating to West BengciJ is referred and whose statement is wrong. But we are to, indicates political al a loss to understand as to why this kind of overtones ... [ Interruptions) matters are raised from all sides! And when the matter comes up, somebody insists on THE MINISTER OF WATER a slatement and somebody else insists that RESOURCES AND MINISTER OF a statement should not be made. Only two PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI minutes before the Home Minister was VIDYACHARAN SHUKLA): The procedure asked to make a statement of an incident that we follow here is as per the traditions that has tiilken place in UP. And in the same established in the House. Whenever there 515 Re: Atrocities on MARCH 1, 1994 Women in West Bengal 516
are atrocities against Scheduled Castes, break the law here! That should not be the Scheduled Tribes and women, such matters case. But sometimes if we have are sOmetimes raised here. After obtaining accommodated certain matters, that should the reports from" the respective State not be the rule. At least those Members who GoVernment, the Home Minister makes a understand the constitution and jurisdiction statement, as has happened today in the of legislature. judiciary and executive may case of UP. Similarly, allegations have been please help us by not raising this kind of made about atrocities committed against matrters here! [Interruptions]
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe \ women in the State of West Bengal. The [ Translation] Home Minister will obtain the report from the Government of Weat Bengal and based on SHRIMATI VIJAYARAJE SCINDIA that report, he will make a statement here. (Guna): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am sorry to say Whatever action r:equires to be taken, will be that when we come to know of such incidents taken according to the report of the State everyday, our heads hang in shame. The Government. So, there should be no incident 'Draupadi Cheemaran' took place oibjection. I am not setting any new only once in Mahabharata, but nowadays tradition .... [ Interruptions] such incidents have become quite frequent. If we cannot allow a discussion on this SHRI NITISH KUMAR (Bam)Then you matter in the Parliament which is the supreme should do it every day! institition of the country, whereelse such matters can be discussed. In the present [ Translation] case a poor woman was disgraced and the police refused to lodge her FIR for one MR. SPEAKER: When I am on my legs, month just for the reason that the victim had you must sit down. no money and she was not in a position to take her case to the court. If an hon .Member [ Inteffuptionsj raises this issue here, it is not proper on your part to object to it and say that such matters MR.SPEAKER: Please sit down. I will should not be raised here everyday, I would see to the matter. When you are sitting here humbly submit that since it is the supreme in the Chair, you can say what you like, but body, it is not inapapropriate on the part of not while sitting there! Please do understand an hon.Memberto request the Government that as far as possible, we are trying to to inquire into the case of atrOCity against a accomrnodate the feelings of the Members. woman whose voice went unheard. It would But if it is going beyond a certain limit, it be better on our part to constitute a court becopme very difficult. Now, this Parliament where those helpless and poor women could does have certain jurisdiction. But your seek the redressal of their grievances which jurisdiction is not extended to aHeging certain remained otherwise unattened. things against individuals without evidence and without even knowing what has . MR.SPEAKER: I appreciate your happened. But you express views 'here feelings. Such incidents do take place and against individuals or against organisations we all are sorry for it. I respect each and or against parties which have no opportunity every word you have spoken, We should to defend themselves. Then what do we do? have the sort of approach, But the difficulty You make the law here and you yourselves isthat ours isa large country and innumerable 517 Re: Atrocities on PHALGUNA 10, 1915 (SAKA) Women in West Bengal 518 incidents take place here, Hence it would be not a forum where we should jump to of no use to discuss all these things conclusion. everydayt. If you wish to have a comprehensive discussion for one, two or SHRIMATI GEET A MUKHERJEE: I even four hours on this subject, we may do did ~ot jump to any conclusion. Sir. through it, I do respect your feelings,but I would like you, I wanted to appeal to the Minister to to make a requsst that we should also have take it up by himself. a discussion on other matters. MR. SPEAKER: You please SHRIMATI VIJAYARAJE SCINDIA: I am understand. This is nottheforum, otherwise, grateful to you. We should have such you will have to give judicial powers to discussions. Parliament and let it decide. There is a coun for that purpose. The affected party can go [English] to the court. I do understand that many people cannot go to court because they do SHRIMATI GEETA MUKHERJEE not have the money. (Panskura): Sir, I want to seek a clarification on your ruling. Am I allowed? How do you expect the Parliament to deal with the matters which are happening in MR SPEAKER: It is not a practice, the counrtry every day? We will lok at the but I will allow Geetaji. matter in a comprehensive manner at one go or many times. House is yours; its time is SHRIMATI GEETA MUKHERJEE: Sir. yours. You can utilize the time of the House as far as I am concerned, I am on record that in raising such matters bllt, I am finding it I am of the view that all atrocities on women very dikfficult to adjust these every day must be delt with raising above petty political happenings which are being raised here considerations. There is no doubt about without even knowing the actual fact. that. I still stand by it and I belive all the other Members should also stand by it I wanted to [ Translation] seek a clarification in this regard. SHRIMATI BHAVANA CHIKHAJIA MR.SPEAKER: I am not subject to (Junagarh): Mr. Speaker, Sir, though the giving clarifications. Anyway, I will allow you. Commission for women has been constituted. it is not working. SHRIMATI GEETA MUKHERJEE: TOday. I have given a notice on a subject not [Englilsh] in respect of any State but. it is in respect of a Central Department. It is regarding an MR.SPEAKER: Then. you raise it Officer committing sexual assault against a while participating in the President's Address. woman. Should I be heard on that or not? [ Translation] MR.SPEAKER : I will give the explanation. Supposing this is correct, it is SHRI' MOHAMMAD ALI ASHRAF reprehensible and we should condemn it . FATMI (Darbhanga): Mr. Speaker. Sir. while But. it is very difficult to know the truth. We coming to the House in the morning today, Sh?uld not jump to the conclusions. This is I was arrested. 519 Re: Atrocities on MARCH 1, 1994 Women in West Bengal 520 [English) [English)
MR. SPEAKER: You understand that SHRI SRI KANT A JENA (Cuttacj): what kind of statement you are making here. The hon. Member was arrested from the main gate of the Parliament [ Translation) House ..... [ Interruptions)
SHRI MOHAMMAD ALI ASHRAF MR.SPEAKER: You give me in FATMI: Mr. Speaker, Sir. today. when I was writing. I will enquire into it and if your coming to the House ... statement is not correct then I will send it to the Privileges Committee. [English) [ Translation) MR. SPEAKER: Why do not you give it in writing to me? SHRI. HARI KISHORE SINGH (Shehar): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to [ Translation] raise a matter regarding telecast of a serial on Doordarshan. Doordarshan has earned SHRI MOHAMMAD ALI ASHRAF a lot of disrespute due to its absurd FATMI: Mr. Speaker. Sir, please listen to programmes. As a result thereof even the me. We were arrested at the gate of the Government had to go to the Zee TV for the Parliament House when we wanted to put Budgettelecast. Besides this, the day before the garland on Mah~tma Gandhi's statue yesterday there was a line appearing in the just to lodge our protest against Dunkel classified columns of the Times of India Proposals, we were told that for violating which read as under Section 144 in force there, we were taken into custody. For this reason, we could not "V.P. SINGH TURNS 75 TODAY." even attend the ~roceedings of the House. Since I and Shri Manjay Lal had been MR.SPEAKER: In case this thing arrested at the Parliament House Gate. it is has not been publicised enough you are not a simple matter in any case. giving it more pUblicity with your action.
[English) . SHRI HARI KISHORE SINGH: No, no, I am referring to it only because it is an MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Fatmi. please example of indirect character assassination. understand that it we all Members come to the Parliament for these kinds of things [English] every time, what will happen to the Parliament? You please sit down now ... Now everyone is after his money.
[ Translation) rTranslation)
SHRI MRUTYNJAYA NAYAK What is this? Doordarshan has now (Phulban): If the hon. Member wants to become totally unattractive. So it has started garland the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, he its move or character assasination to gain should go to Rajghat. cheap popularity by raking up Shri V.P. 521 Re: Atrocities on PHALGUNA 10,1915 (SAKA) Women in West Bengal 522
Singh's name who is otherwise the former [English] Prime Minister and a leading politician ofthis country. I would like the Govemment to ban MR.SPEAKER: This is not going on immediately the telecast of this serial at the record. prime time and call for explanations of the concerned Minister. [ InterruptionsI'
SHRI NITISH KUMAR (Barh): Mr. MR. SPEAKER: I have a ruling on Speaker, Sir, Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh this. I am going to give a ruling on this is being taken tor a ride. Here, I have a written note which reads. [ Interruptions]
[English] MR.SPEAKER: This is not appreciated; this is not in keeping with the Note: All the Characters in this serial are dignity of the Members also. fictitious and any resemblance to any living person is purely coincidental." [ Interruptions) rTranslation] MR. SPEAKER: You give a notice. If By making this statement, they have it constitutes a breach of privilege, I will send ensured their safety from any action under it to the Committee of Privileges. If it does the law while on the other hand they not constitute a breach of privilege, you can mentioned that go to the court of law and file a suit for defamation. All the Members should know [English] what to do and how to do.
V.P.Singh turns 75 today. There are many caricatures coming in the newspapers. For every caricature, we [ Translatio!'] do not take action.
II is a comedy serial. [ Interruptions]
SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN [ Translation) (ROSERA): It it is a matter related to Doordarshan, there IS more scope for a SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Please listen discriplinary action to be taken againstthem. to me for a minute. It is a matter of nidicule In case it relates to an individual, then it is caused by television ..... [/nterruptions) something different. If such derogatoryworcls have been used by Doordarshan, the hon. MR. SPEAKER: You people are doing Minister should apologize immediately those dirty things in the House here. because it is not an ordinary matter. SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Please just SHRI NITISH KUMAR: It is a case of listen to me. I would like to draw your character assasination[ Interruptions] attention to a particular sentence .
• Not Recorded. 523 Papers Laid MARCH 1, 1994 Papers Laid 524
MR. SPEAKER: You please try to expansion or modernization of any activity if understand. If you think that there is case of pollution load is to exceed the existing one, Breach of Privileges. then you should give a or new project listed in Schedule I anne~ed notice. If not, it may be taken up as a case to the notification shall not be undertaken in of defamation. At the same time. I may be any part of India unless it has been accorded delegated special powers under the rules environmental clearance by the Govemment framed for that purpose to empower me to in accordance with the procedure specified take action against those who are bringing in the notification with effect from the 27th out caricatures of hon.Members of this January, 1994 issued under sub-section (2) House. of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.(Placed in library See No. LT 5403/94) 12.52 Hrs Annual Report and Review on the PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE Working of Indian Railway Welfare' Organisation, New Delhi for 1992-93. Sugar (Price Determination for the year 1993-94 Production order, 1993 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI [English] K.C.LENKA): I beg to lay on the Table:-
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE (1) A copy of the Annual Report MINISTRY OF FOOD (SHRI KALP NATH (Hindi and Englilsh versions) of the Indian Railway Welfare Organ RAI): isation, New Delhi, for the year 1992-93. alongwith Audited Ac I beg to lay on the Table a copy of the counts. Sugar (Price Determination for 1993-94 production) Order. 1993 (Hindi and English (2) A copy of the Review (Hindi and versions) published in Notification No. English versions) by the Govem G.S.R.670(E) in Gazette of India dated the ment on the working of the In dian Railway Welfare Organisa 22nd October. 1993 under sub-section (6) tion, New Delhi. for the year 1992- of section 3 of the Essential Commodities 93.(Placed in the library, See No. Act, 1955. (Placed in library. See No. LT LT 5404/94) 5402194) Notification under Essential Notification under Environment Commodities Act, 1955 (Protection) Act, 1986 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL SUPPLIES, MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC FORESTS (SHRI KAMAL NATH): DISTRIBUTION MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE (SHRI I beg to lay on the Table a copy of the KAMALUDDIN AHMED): Notification No.S.O.60(E) (Hindi and English versions) published in Gazette of India dated I beg to lay on the Table a copy each the 27tH' January. 1994 directing that of the follOWing Notifications (Hindi and